Clemson got NSD off to an early start Wednesday morning inking five high school players who had previously announced their commitments to the Tigers. Those were WR Cole Turner (6-2 178) of Vestavia Hills, AL, DE Jahiem Lawson (6-4 215) of Daniel and LB Kobe McCloud (6-0 208) of Tampa, CB Myles Oliver (6-1 170) of Douglasville, GA, and SAF Kylon Griffin (6-1 180) of Montgomery, AL.
Turner, Lawson and McCloud are Clemson legacies as their brothers all played for the Tigers.
Clemson bio on Turner
Named first-team All-South Metro as an athlete after recording 42 catches for 581 yards and seven touchdowns in addition to accounting for touchdowns via punt return and kickoff return … averaged 19.5 yards per punt return and 34.5 yards per kickoff return, finishing the season with 1,160 all-purpose yards … second-team all-state … coached by Buddy Anderson and Sean Calhoun at Vestavia Hills High School … initially focused on basketball before playing his first season of high school football as a junior … committed to Clemson on Jan. 16, 2022 … plans to enroll in the summer of 2022 … his late father, Kevin, played football with Dabo Swinney at Alabama … Kevin went on to play eight years in the NFL with New England and Philadelphia … his brother, Nolan, was a 2020 All-America safety who played 65 career games and earned two degrees at Clemson from 2016-21 … born April 11, 2003.
Clemson bio on Lawson
2021 SCFCA all-state selection … helped Daniel to back-to-back SCHSL Class 3A titles in 2020 and 2021 and posted a 46-3 record in his varsity career … finished his prep career with 153 tackles (40 for loss), 25 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, two blocked kicks and interception and two touchdowns … credited with 75 tackles (25 for loss), 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, two pass breakups, an interception, a fumble recovery and two touchdowns in 2021 … first-team all-region honoree who was named region co-defensive MVP in 2021 … played in the North-South All-Star Game and earned Defensive MVP honors for his performance … Shrine Bowl selection … Palmetto Champion All-Star Team selection … coached by Jeff Fruster at Daniel High School … also played basketball at Daniel … committed to Clemson on Jan. 28, 2022 … plans to enroll in the summer of 2022 … brother of former Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, a 2015 consensus All-American who played 41 career games at Clemson from 2013-15 before being a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft … born Jan. 22, 2004.
Clemson bio on McCloud
Four-year starter who finished his prep career as the all-time winningest player in Gaither High School history (36-12) … posted school records in career tackles (234) and interceptions (13) … two-time all-conference and all-county selection … credited with 70 tackles and three interceptions as a senior in 2021 while also contributing 158 rushing yards on 25 carries on offense … selected to the Hillsborough County All-Star Game … as a junior in 2020, contributed at linebacker and quarterback on an 11-1 Gaither squad … academic standout who was an honor student and team captain … coached by Kirk Karsen at Gaither High School … committed to Clemson on Jan. 26, 2022 … plans to enroll in the summer of 2022 … brother of former Clemson wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, a current Pittsburgh Steeler who was a PFF All-America punt returner who played 40 career games at Clemson from 2015-17 prior to being selected in the 2018 NFL Draft … also brother of Arizona quarterback Jordan McCloud … born May 7, 2003.
Clemson bio on Oliver
Earned a 6A all-state selection in Georgia following a senior season in 2021 in which he posted 75 tackles with five interceptions … finished the season with 552 all-purpose yards (including 101 via interception returns) and four total touchdowns … won the Howard Thompson Trophy, which goes to the top senior in Georgia’s Douglas County … all-region honoree for Region 5-6A according to Georgia High School Football Daily … former quarterback who transitioned to defensive back prior to his junior season but contributed in all three phases, including a spot start at quarterback against Carrollton … coached by Johnny White at Douglas County High School … also ran track at Douglas County, finishing in the top six in the state in both the 4×100 and 4×400 relays … committed to Clemson on Jan. 16, 2022 … plans to enroll in the summer of 2022 … born March 26, 2004.
Clemson bio on Griffin
Three-time All-Capital City Conference selection at defensive back … twice named All-Metro … earned all-state honors in 2021 … credited with 161 tackles (20 for loss), three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and eight touchdowns in his prep career … helped the Knights to a 13-1 record and a berth in the state semifinals for Class 3A … one of the leaders of a defense that surrendered just 43 points in 14 games in 2021 … recorded 44 tackles (five for loss), six pass breakups and five interceptions and scored four touchdowns on defense and special teams as a senior … ranked among the top 30 players in the state of Alabama by On3 Sports … coached by Kirk Johnson at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory … also ran track at Montgomery Catholic … committed to Clemson on Jan. 25, 2022 … initially committed to Mississippi State but chose Clemson over USC and Nebraska, among others, down the stretch … plans to enroll in the summer of 2022 … born Dec. 18, 2003.
